What’s in a Name?

Friends have asked me, “How did you get the name Ween?”

It’s a long story - beginning years ago.  Remember the first day of school when the teacher would call you by your proper first name? “Edwin, are you present?” Hated it! I was named after my dad’s brother that had died before my birth. I learned that my name meant “rich friend.” Right! I still hated that name as a child.

As my nieces grew, Amy, Sarah, and Leah decided upon “Edweiner.” No girls, that won’t work – we can say Ween. Thus, it is Uncle Ween or Tío Ween. Love it!

Over my teaching career the name Fitzgerald has been a challenge for some. I once received a letter from a parent of a student addressed to “Mr. FrenchGeneral.” I am not lying, saved the letter. I was often called Mr. Fritz, Mr. Fish, and Mr. French. Finally, I settled on letting students call me Mr. Fitz.  As a principal, I was called other names that are not printable.

I’ve been thinking about names. Many of my friends are grandparents and have chosen special names other than grandma, granny, and grandpa. There is something special about a name.

What comes to mind when you hear someone’s name? Edwin identifies me, but it doesn’t tell anyone about me.

There is a name that should tell others about us and that is the name Jesus gives us when we accept Him as our Savior and Redeemer. Christian – it let’s others know that we are identified with Christ.

• The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:26
•  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. I John 3:1
• The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. Isaiah 62:2, NIV

•  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Revelation 2:17
• He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. Revelation 3:5

The Bible tells us that we will have a new name, it will be written on a white stone, and it will never get blotted out from the book of life. Our name will be acknowledged before God the Father and His angels.

What is your name? Is it written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Do you know the man named Jesus?

Holy and Almighty Father in Heaven, thank you for your sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us and allow us to be called your children. Thank you for your faithful love, mercy, grace, and blood of Jesus that cleanses us when we, your children, fail. For the Holy Spirit that gently leads us, I thank you. Cover us, your children, with that Holy Spirit so as we live each day we bring honor and glory to the name of Christ. Humbly asked through the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Be bless-ed ~ tÍo ween

Oh How I Love Jesus

by Frederick Whitfield

There is a name I love to hear,
  

I love to sing its worth;


It sounds like music in mine ear,
  

The sweetest name on earth.

Oh, how I love Jesus,


Oh, how I love Jesus,


Oh, how I love Jesus,
  

Because He first loved me!

It tells me of a Savior's love,
  

Who died to set me free;


It tells me of His precious blood,
  

The sinner's perfect plea.

It tells me what my Father hath,
  

In store for every day,


And though I tread a darksome path,
  

Yields sunshine all the way.

It tells of One whose loving heart
  

Can feel my deepest woe,


Who in each sorrow bears a part
  

That none can bear below.